Gagnon, Richard Robert Passed away September 23, 2018, a few weeks shy of his 76th birthday. Richard was preceded in death by his mother Mildred Gagnon, father Richard Stiles, and stepfather George Gagnon. He is survived by his sister Linda Meyers and by extended family and loving friends. Richard was Master Prototyper at the Science Museum of Minnesota for more than 25 years. Before coming to Saint Paul, he worked at the Exploratorium in San Francisco as an exhibit builder under the creative leadership of the director Frank Oppenheimer. Richard also had stints working for Discovery Place in Charlotte, NC; Discovery Center of Idaho in Boise, ID; Explora in Albuquerque, NM; and Technorama in Winterthur, Switzerland. Intensely curious, he had a lifelong commitment to understanding and explaining science, particularly physics, mathematics, and engineering. Richard is remembered as the inventor of creative, unique, and engaging science teaching exhibits. He is also remembered as a brilliant and capable mentor to two generations of exhibit staff. He is deeply missed by his family and friends. There will be a memorial gathering at 2:30 pm on November 11th at WA Frost in Saint Paul.

Published on October 21, 2018